Earlier this week, I listened to a podcast, “Hey, Jacob. Hi, Scott,” hosted by Scott Stabile and Jacob Nordby. These guys get together each week and record their conversations on a variety of topics. They are vulnerable and authentic as they share their personal journeys and life challenges. I find it refreshing to hear men being so real with each other and with us listeners.
On several of the podcasts, both Scott and Jacob have shared
about how they are enriched by being out in nature. I can relate as I also feel
connected to God/Spirit/Universe when I am in nature. I was particularly struck
by something Scott shared in the May 18 episode.
He said that he has been spending a great deal of time by a river during his
stay in North Carolina and appreciating the lessons it can teach.
I am summarizing here, but what he said is that the rocks in
and around the river teach him about being strong, stable, and grounded amid whatever may be raging around us. I have always loved rocks. I have a
special memory of going to a beach in Northern California, hugging the large
rocks on the shore, and being connected to their power. Since then, I have had
many opportunities to commune with rocks of all sizes. I have several
collections of small rocks. They say to me, “Yes, I may be worn by time and
pressure, but I am still here, strong, unmoved, and radiating life. As are
you!”
“To be like the rock that the waves keep
crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around
it.” – Marcus Aurelius
Scott also shared that the water teaches him about being in
the flow, letting things go, and finding a way. I, too, have enjoyed the times
I have spent hiking along the rivers and streams. They remind me that the flow
of life is sometimes gentle and easy, at other times fast and turbulent. Yet,
the water continues in its relentless flow. In addition, water always finds its
way over, around, or through whatever appears in its path.
“I like to think I am like water
that adapts to its surroundings and eventually finds a way in.” – Georges
St-Pierre
Considering this, I decided to invite nature to reveal its
messages to me in the things I observed on my daily walk today.
As I walked across the bridge in DeBoer Park, I noticed a
lone mallard duck sitting in the creek. It was making no effort to move and
appeared to be at rest. He reminded me that we all need times to sit peacefully
in our favorite habitat to rest, reflect, or retreat. It is okay, and more than
okay; it is preferable to occasionally do nothing but sit. It serves us best to
wait, even in solitude, for the next right thing.
“Often we tell ourselves ‘Don’t
just sit there, do something!’ But when we practice awareness, we discover that
the opposite may be more helpful: ‘Don’t just do something, sit there!’” – Thich
Nhat Hanh
I also noticed a bed of irises. Some were in full bloom,
others just beginning to reveal some color, while other buds were still tightly
bound. They spoke to me of divine order. Things unfold in perfect time, whether
or not it is according to our preferred schedule. We can try to rush things
along, but we often regret it when we do. Nature cannot be hurried or forced to
bloom. Like flowers, each of us is unique. We grow and blossom in our own ways in our own
perfect time. It is best for us not to try to force ourselves or others.
“Be patient with yourself. Nothing
in nature blooms all year.” – Unknown
Observing the vast array of flowers that are now springing up
everywhere not only connected me to the beauty of nature, but also reminded me
that beneath the snow of winter there is always the promise of spring.
I must admit that since moving to Denver seven years ago
there have been times when I wondered if spring would ever arrive. Having lived
in the south most of my life, I was accustomed to spring in March, not May. Winters
can seem long here.
We all experience seasons in our lives. Sometimes we feel the
dark and cold of winter when we experience loss or other dramatic change. But
we can rest assured that spring will come again. The timing is certainly not as
predictable as in nature, but we can trust that the beauty of life will once again
reveal itself if we remain open to the possibility.
“Perhaps the Earth can teach us as
when everything seems to be dead and later proves to be alive.” – Pablo
Neruda
Lastly, I continue to be in awe of how dandelions grow in the
most restrictive places. They sprout up through the tiniest cracks and crevices
imaginable. As I thought of this, I was reminded of a recent hike in Evergreen
where I saw a tree seemingly growing out of a rock. This speaks to me to the
power and resilience of nature and reveals to me an important lesson.
We are also resilient and powerful. Even in the times when we
may feel that we are restricted by life circumstances or believe that we cannot
possibly grow in our current environment, we can trust that growth is happening
when we keep our minds and hearts stayed on the power and potential within us. The
dandelion doesn’t say, nor does the tree, “I can’t grow here. I will wait for
more favorable conditions.” No, it grows where it is. We can do the same.
“Like a wildflower, you must allow
yourself to grow in places people never thought you would.” – E.V.
Nature is replete with wisdom that it is ready and willing to
share with us. Our opportunity is to open our hearts and minds as we open our
eyes to witness its mystery and majesty. When we remember that we are not separate
from the nature all around and we choose to breathe it in, nature will reveal
its lessons through our willingness to consciously connect with its beauty,
wonder, and power.
“In every walk with nature one receives
far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
